Braai Inspired T-Bone Steak

There are meals that I crave to eat again. The ones that not only tasted delicious but also had a story to them are the ones I crave the most. When I was in college I decided to study abroad in Cape Town, South Africa for six months and I was blow away by the food. One of my favorite experiences was braai and that served as the inspiration for my Braai Inspired T-Bone Steak recipe.

If you like steak recipes, you may also enjoy my Flank Steak Pinwheels, my Steak au Poivre or my Flank Steak with Pan Gravy recipes.

Jump to:

• What is Braai
• What is Braai Spicing?
• How to cook a t-bone steak
• How to grill a t-bone steak
• What to serve with Braai Inspired T-Bone Steak
• Ingredients Needed
• Equipment Needed
• Storage Tips
• Braai Dry Rubbed T-Bone Steak
• Arya's Corner
• About Michelle

What is Braai

The term braai is from South Africa and is both a type of grilling and a form of social gathering. Stemming from the Africans word Braaivleis (Roasted Meat) a Braai (pronounced Bry) is similar to a barbecue in the United States.

Grilling: Braai is typically a variety of grilled meats. Similar to a US barbecue, there is not one particular type of meat or spice, but common meats include beef, boerewors, chicken among others.

Cultural Impact: The main difference in my personal experience between an American barbecue and a South African Braai is the culture surrounding it. A braai is a social gathering where friends and family come together and grill meat on the same grill, share the same experience in making the food and eat together. This article is South African and goes more in depth about what a braai is and the social aspects of a braai.

This recipe for Braai Inspired T-Bone Steak is inspired, meaning I drew inspiration from my experiences abroad, but it is not a traditional recipe that you would find in South Africa. Hopefully those outside of South Africa will try this recipe and want to experience more in the future.

What is Braai Spicing?

When I think of a braai, I think of the robust flavor from the meat. Whether I went to a friend's home or to Mzoli's in Gugulethu, the meat was always cooked fresh and seasoned with a delicious blend of spices. In this recipe I used a mix of paprika, coriander, garlic, cumin and more to create a strong tasting blend. There is no set spice blend for braai, however many of these spices are common in braai spice blends.

How to cook a t-bone steak

To make this steak I assembled the dry rub and then rubbed it all over the steak, making sure to get every surface. I used my cast iron to cook it so that I could get a great sear and crust. I heated my skillet on a high temp with a bit of vegetable oil, then placed the steak in. It cooks quickly, about 4 minutes per a side. I then let it rest for about five minutes before slicing and serving.

While braai is done on the grill (and you are more than welcome to grill this recipe), I've unfortunately live in an apartment in a city so having a grill is not an option so I've made an indoor rendition.

How to grill a t-bone steak

Preheat your grill on a high setting to ensure the grates are piping hot and will leave grill marks and ensure that you get a delicious crust. Place steak directly over heated area and cook for 5 minutes.

Flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until desired level of doneness. If you want crossed grill marks, rotate steak 90 degrees at the 2 ½ minute mark.

What to serve with Braai Inspired T-Bone Steak

This steak would go great with a green vegetable such as roasted brussel sprouts, steamed broccoli, or starchy side like mashed potatoes. Or if you really wanted to go full out South African for this meal, a side of pap (a maize porridge) is an absolute must!

Ingredients Needed

Equipment Needed

• Cast Iron Skillet
• Tongs
• Chef's Knife
• Cutting Board

Storage Tips

Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, either warm in the microwave or on the stovetop in a skillet; heat until warmed through.

Arya's Corner

We gave up on using our collapsible hampers because Arya treated them like a toy. Fast forward a few months and they are now her actual toys. Cats are weird, but hey at least this "toy" is an easy one.

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